Broad Bordered Bee Hawkmoth (Hemaris fuciformis)

Well that is our best identification thanks to Collins guide and an internet search. What is certain is it is the first time I have managed to photograph one as they can only be described as aerial acrobats... They don't half move fast, flitting from flower to flower.

and with such accuracy as these two consecutive pictures show

proboscis right in the middle

Interestingly when we did the ID internet search it showed photographs of the caterpillar, which looked remarkably like this one photographed on our patio back in July. Their preferred plant is wild honeysuckle which we have on a trellis adjacent to where this was found.

It was great to see and photograph and we will be looking out for future visits.